Castlevania: Lords of Shadow

Back when I got my first Xbox360 console (yes, little late to the game), this was one of the first titles I played on it. Let me just say that I went through a dozen or so games afterward before I found something that I enjoyed as much as this game. Having played God of War back in the day, I instantly recognized the similarities between the two games but it never felt plagiarized, instead it felt like the perfect gift to those of us who are more inclined to the darker genres. Not having played the other Castlevania games, I can't compare them at all, but playing this made me a bit sorry for missing them. As other reviewers have stated, you don't have control of the camera at all, which is a little jarring at first, but you get used to it and it's not such a terrible thing as everyone makes it out to be, because the camera is usually pointed right towards that gigantic Gothic castle or that eerie decrepit tower in the distance (for example), and it does a great job of showing you what you need to see, and there is much to be seen. The combat is pretty much GoW-fare, with Gabriel wielding a combat cross to battle all sorts of enemy types. The titan/undead dragon traversal were moments where my palms got sweaty as I clung on for dear life to giant animated stone giants that constantly tried throwing me off. The quick time events are a bit distracting but that's not so bad. The bosses are fun and the puzzles are challenging but not too difficult. Some may argue that this game is derivative and unoriginal. They might be right, but I have never had so much fun playing something so "unoriginal" and "derivative". And I liked the twist at the end after the credits... Nice little setup for the sequel, although not explained exactly how or why. One of the most gorgeous games that I have played, without a doubt.

I got this game late in the game, well passed its initial release. Of course, not going to complain as I got it for like seven bucks new and I got a nice side benefit, which I will get into later. I enjoy Castlevania games, mainly those of the earlier consoles. This is my first 3D one I have played through, I have played a bit of one of the ones made for the N64 system. Suffice to say, I enjoyed it a good deal, though it could have used a few more Castlevania touches to it. Though, from the little I have played of the N64 one, this one does feel more like a Castlevania game than did that one. This one has a lot of elements from other games within it as I was playing it I felt God of War's influence, Dante's Inferno came to mind during the last chapter and Shadow of the Colossus certainly came to mind when I had to fight those Titan bosses! There is a bit of Castlevania in there though in that your weapon is a whip, your character a Belmont and during the music box stage you hear a familiar tune being played.

The story has Gabriel Belmont on a quest to rid the land of evil by defeating the Lords of Shadow. He first travels to a region dominated by werewolves, then an icy landscape inhabited by vampires and finally to the realm of dead where necromancers reign supreme. He must fight and kill those beasts he encounters, solve puzzles and try and reassemble the God mask and take back the land from the Lords of Shadow. However, he is also on a quest to try and revive his wife, taken from him by the evil forces that have taken the land. This is his main driving force. He is aided by an elderly knight by the name of Zoback and awesomely voiced by Patrick Stewart.

The game plays a lot like God of War as far as the combat goes. You will gain more powers and level ups as you progress through the game. There is also a bit of Tomb Raider in this one as you have to do a lot of climbing and scaling, trying to get to seemingly impossible areas and you also must solve a myriad of puzzles too. The level that feels the most like a Castlevania game is the land of the vampires as it is the only level where you spend a good deal of time within castles. It also just has a look of Castlevania more than other levels. I do wish there was more of a Castlevania feel at times, but the story kept me progressing through the stages.

So, the game for me was fun. I especially liked the ending as I so want to play the sequel now that comes out in March which is the side benefit of getting the game after it had been out for a while. I would have hated having to wait like four years to find out what was going to happen next. Admittedly though, there are questions I have about the ending as well. I think some of those are answered in some of the other Castlevania: Lords of Shadow games released on 3DS and other systems though. I have heard that this game was not originally intending to be a Castlevania game, though I am not sure how true this is. At times, I can see how it may not have been one and that perhaps they just gave the character the name Belmont, but so much of the story, especially the ending suggests it was a Castlevania game through and through. I know I enjoyed it and look forward to the next installment.

*Castlevania* is a storied franchise that has been captivating gamers for decades, predominantly through its 2D side-scrolling entries. Admittedly, I'm not a long-time player of the series, but as someone who thrives on thrilling action games like *God of War* (especially those prior to 2018), I was eager to dive into *Lords of Shadow*, especially when I discovered that Hideo Kojima was one of the producers. I gave the demo a whirl and was pleasantly surprised; it prompted me to buy the game, and the experience did not disappoint.

Set in Southern Europe during the Middle Ages, the plot follows Gabriel Belmont on his quest to vanquish the malevolent Lords of Shadow and resurrect his wife. This intriguing storyline provides a strong backbone to the game and kept my interest piqued throughout my journey.

*Lords of Shadow* is a third-person hack-and-slash action game, reminiscent of the mechanics established by earlier *God of War* titles. You wield a unique crucifix weapon that functions both as a magical whip and a versatile tool for traversing the environment. It may sound quirky on paper, but in practice, it feels seamless and effective. You'll swing, whip, and climb your way through beautifully crafted levels that always present something new to discover.

Combat is a true highlight, throwing you into battles against a host of gothic creatures: think werewolves, zombies, vampires, and all manner of demonic foes. The enemy variety keeps each encounter fresh, and the combat system is engaging, allowing you to earn XP and unlock new moves as you progress. Puzzles also feature prominently, often revolving around flashbacks of Gabriel's deceased wife, and these challenges flow well with the gameplay, adding to the overall experience.

One aspect that stood out was the game's difficulty curve. I remember feeling incredibly frustrated at times, particularly with certain bosses, but perseverance paid off immensely when I finally triumphed. It took me about 20 hours to reach the end, which is quite substantial for a title in this genre, and there are plenty of challenging battles along the way.

Visually, *Lords of Shadow* holds up impressively well, rivaling the graphics of *God of War III*, which was released around the same time. The atmospheric music fits the dark setting beautifully, enhancing immersion, and the voice acting is top-notch. Robert Carlyle as Gabriel and Patrick Stewart as his mentor provide exceptional performances that bring depth to the characters. The cutscenes are thoughtfully paced, ensuring they captivate rather than bore.

While abilities evolve as you progress, leading you to backtrack for previously unreachable areas, I'm not usually a fan of this mechanic. However, in this game, backtracking didn't feel tedious and was, in fact, a meaningful part of the exploration.

Delivering a captivating blend of urgency and intrigue, the storyline kept me engaged throughout. I won't spoil any plot twists, but the experience felt rewarding and immersive. Although the game sold well enough for a sequel, it's disheartening what transpired with the franchise afterward.

In conclusion, *Castlevania: Lords of Shadow* is a fantastic game that sometimes feels overlooked in the grand spectrum of action titles. With its rich narrative, engaging gameplay, and polished visuals, I'd give it a solid 9/10. For anyone who enjoys action games with a dark twist, this is well worth your time.